Forced to remain seated due to medical condition, says MLA Hilal Lone as admin launches probe

Srinagar, Oct 17: The Jammu and Kashmir administration Thursday ordered an inquiry against the National Conference MLA from Sonwari, Hilal Akbar Lone, for not standing up for the national anthem during the oath taking ceremony yesterday, reports said.

Omar Abdullah was sworn in as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. During the oath taking ceremony at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), a number of attendees did not stand up for the national anthem and Lone was one of them.

Clarifying the matter, Lone said that his medical condition forced him to remain seated.

"When I went inside, I spoke to media, following this the national anthem was played, and I stood up for some seconds, then was forced to sit because of my back ache," Lone told Greater Kashmir.

This is no act of crime, asserted the MLA.

Supreme Court has a reservation too, that not standing during the national anthem is not a crime, said Lone.

"I am a member of the legislative assembly, I have taken oath on the Indian constitution, why are you doubting me," said the NC MLA. "Stop doubting me again and again," he said.

One commits a crime when they disrupt or try to disrupt the national anthem, he said.

Sources said that officials will examine the complete video recording of the event to determine who remained seated during the national anthem.

Police also said it has taken cognizance of the incident wherein an individual didn’t stand up during the playing of National Anthem at SKICC Srinagar on October 16.

The Police said that a preliminary enquiry by an SP rank officer has been initiated, while as evidence being collected through electronic gadzets is being ascertained for further course of legal action.

“Police has taken cognizance of an incident where an individual did not stand up during the playing of the National Anthem. A preliminary Enquiry by an SP rank officer under section 173 (3) of the BNSS has been initiated, and electronic evidence is being analysed for further course of legal action,” Srinagar Police said in a post on its official X-handle.